Commemorating the pagan festival of the spring equinox involves celebrating the arrival of spring and the balance between light and dark. The festival, known as Ostara, is deeply rooted in ancient pagan traditions and serves as a time to honor and reconnect with nature. During this festival, people gather to welcome the changing of seasons and the awakening of the earth. It is a time of renewal and rebirth, as the days become longer and the weather begins to warm. Many see it as a spiritual reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all living beings. One of the key elements of the celebration is the creation of an altar or sacred space.

The Worst Witch (1986)

Just rewatched it today. Besides the obvious (super sexy, trippy 80s effects Tim Curry), I will say. I forgot Diana Rigg makes a great villain.

""No one can beat Mega Bucks!"
"I'll put you to sleep with my Million Dollar Dream!"

Post by Ryback on a Pole! on Oct 29, 2023 23:44:45 GMT -5

Post by thechase on Oct 30, 2023 3:19:47 GMT -5

Post by James Fabiano on Oct 30, 2023 7:08:52 GMT -5

I get it, I'm old!!

""No one can beat Mega Bucks!"
"I'll put you to sleep with my Million Dollar Dream!"

Post by Sephiroth on Oct 30, 2023 7:09:44 GMT -5

Check out my channel, The Nightmare Nerd

Post by Fundertaker on Oct 30, 2023 7:15:46 GMT -5

That's Tim's secret: he always phones it in, but he phones it in so much it becomes A game.

Post by crashmatsbazz on Oct 30, 2023 7:45:00 GMT -5

I hate the Tim Curry Halloween song in this film, its burnt into my brain cos i was like a young kid when this came out and it was shown in School pretty much every Christmas.

Post by James Fabiano on Oct 30, 2023 9:44:06 GMT -5

I hate the Tim Curry Halloween song in this film, its burnt into my brain cos i was like a young kid when this came out and it was shown in School pretty much every Christmas.

I am having NONE of that!

Another observation. the villains (including double-roled Charlotte Rae) look kinda like the Sanderson sisters. roughly.

I love the scene where, after the evil witches are transformed back and threaten Mildred, Mildred just stands there smiling with her arms crossed like it doesn't scare her at all now.

""No one can beat Mega Bucks!"
"I'll put you to sleep with my Million Dollar Dream!"

Post by SpillBeans316 on Oct 30, 2023 11:21:40 GMT -5

“Growing up…. isn’t easy……”.

That song has lived rent free in the back of my mind for over 35 years and still enjoy it when it pops out from time to time.

Post by Sephiroth on Oct 30, 2023 11:50:05 GMT -5

One of the awesome things about Tim Curry is he sneaks brings his A game to even the most ridiculous roles. Which makes finding the times where he didn’t give a you-know-what and was sleepwalking it all the more awesome. The smile he wore in this movie liked less like his usual crazy guy smile and more like when you pose for high school photos. For as enthusiastic as he usually was at voice acting, you could tell in the pebble and the Penguin that he was counting the minutes.

Check out my channel, The Nightmare Nerd

Post by grunt on Oct 30, 2023 11:53:02 GMT -5

Still like the movie, despite all its faults. Then again, I grew up with it, since it was probably one of the first videos my parents rented for me to watch on Halloween, in 87 or 88, back when Halloween hadn't crossed the Atlantic to get to France, and my neighbours and I were probably the only homes celebrating it in the entire region.

The 90s show was okayish, the Weirdsister spinoff was meh, and the Bella Ramsey-led CBBC reboot was fun for what it was.

Diana rigg worst witch

I don't remember this well enough to rate it for sure, but I'd say probably "meh."

This came out in 1986, but I never saw it until. I dunno, must have been sometime in the 20-aughts, I guess. I vaguely recall at some point around that time seeing a bit of a TV series of the same name, which had originally aired in 1998. Both the TV movie and the TV series were based on a series of books that I've never read. The reruns were airing on a Canadian channel I used to watch sometimes. And the movie. I believe I found it on VHS at my cousins' camp at the lake, one summer, and watched it there. I don't honestly remember which I saw first. What I can tell you is that they're both about a witches' academy, you know, for young girls training to be witches. The main one was Mildred Hubble, who in the movie was played by Fairuza Balk. The cast also included Diana Rigg, Tim Curry, and Charlotte Rae (from such comedy nostalgia as "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts of Life"). Also one of the girls was played by Sophie Cook (whom I knew from The Chronicles of Narnia, though I wasn't aware of that until I rewatched that in 2014). It all sounds like it should be a decent movie. It's got a good cast, a good premise, and witches. Lots of cute little witches. But. I don't really remember anything about the movie except thinking it turned out to be incredibly lame. Like, mind-bogglingly lame. (The series was probably less lame, but I never saw much of it, and what I did see, I wouldn't exactly call "good.") Nevertheless, I might like to see the movie again sometime, to write up a proper review. At the very least I can say, I really like the Kindertrauma article linked to above.

Diana rigg worst witch

The whole school is abuzz that the Grand Wizard (Tim Curry) will attend their forthcoming Halloween festivities. Mildred miraculously wins a place on the school’s flying formation team, but nasty know-it-all Ethel Hallow (Anna Kipling) sabotages her broomstick. Meanwhile, Mrs. Cackle’s evil twin Agatha (Rae again, sporting a hideous pink wig and inexplicable Alabama accent) and her coven of wicked witches are lurking in the woods, plotting to take over the school.

Bonnie Langford sings the theme song, written by Charles Strouse and Don Black, because they passed a law in mid-seventies Britain stating that all children’s television for the next ten years must involve her in some way. The rest of the synthesizer led songs composed by Dennis King are cheesier than a platter of gorgonzola, particularly the clunky pop number Tim Curry croons before some sub-MTV video backgrounds. “Anything can happen on Halloween! Your dentist could turn into a queen!” Come again, Tim?

This wears the tacky, shot-on-video look of Eighties’ children’s TV that somehow seems less vibrant than anything from the Sixties and Seventies. Nevertheless, The Worst Witch depicts school bullying and ritual humiliation far more effectively than Harry Potter. While Harry is a dab hand at wizardry and has virtually the whole Hogwarts’ staff kissing his ass, clumsy, well-intentioned Mildred fails at almost everything she tries, as classmates and teachers prove more hindrance than help. Yet she always picks herself up and tries again, ennobled by a hugely endearing performance from Fairuza Balk.

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One of the key elements of the celebration is the creation of an altar or sacred space. This can be done indoors or outdoors, and typically includes symbols of fertility such as flowers, eggs, and seeds. These items represent the potential for growth and new beginnings.

Another important aspect of the festival is the lighting of fires or bonfires. The fire is seen as a symbol of purification and transformation, and the act of gathering around it helps to foster a sense of community and connection. Dance, music, and storytelling are often shared around the fire, further enhancing the sense of celebration. Many people also take part in traditional rituals and activities during Ostara. These can include planting seeds or gardening, taking nature walks, or creating artwork inspired by the changing seasons. The focus is on embracing the energy of new beginnings and finding ways to connect with the natural world. Overall, commemorating the pagan festival of the spring equinox is a way of acknowledging and honoring the cycles of nature. It is a time to celebrate the arrival of spring, the balance between light and dark, and the opportunity for growth and renewal. Through rituals, symbols, and shared experiences, people come together to reconnect with the earth and each other..

Reviews for "Connecting with Ancestors: Ancestor Worship during the Spring Equinox Pagan Festival"

1. Susan - 2 stars - I found "Commemorating the pagan festival of the spring equinox" to be quite disappointing. I was expecting a more educational and enlightening experience, but instead, it felt like a chaotic and disorganized event. The lack of information and structure made it difficult to understand the significance of the traditions being celebrated. Additionally, the crowd was rowdy and disrespectful, which further detracted from the overall experience. I left feeling unsatisfied and with more questions than answers.

2. John - 1 star - Attending "Commemorating the pagan festival of the spring equinox" was a complete waste of time for me. I was hoping to learn something new and unique about pagan traditions, but instead, I witnessed nothing more than a bizarre and confusing spectacle. The event lacked clear explanations, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the supposed purpose behind it. Furthermore, the organization was subpar, with little guidance and direction provided to the attendees. Overall, it was a disappointing and bewildering experience that I would not recommend to anyone seeking genuine knowledge or enrichment.

3. Emily - 3 stars - While "Commemorating the pagan festival of the spring equinox" had its moments, I was mostly underwhelmed by the overall experience. The event seemed disorganized, with a lack of proper scheduling and clear explanations. The crowd was also quite overwhelming, making it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the festivities. However, I did appreciate the effort put into creating an atmosphere of celebration and the variety of activities available. Despite its shortcomings, it could be an enjoyable experience for those who are just looking for a unique and lively event to attend without expecting too much educational value.

Creating Sacred Spaces: Altars and Rituals for the Spring Equinox Pagan Festival